Any portion of your body, including the legs, can suddenly become weak, and this is an indication of a stroke. A portion of the brain gets depleted of oxygen in this potentially fatal illness. One or both legs may start to lose their strength. It may have more significant causes as well as illnesses or exhaustion as causes.
Leg weakness can be brought on by specific neuromuscular disorders. Leg weakness can also be brought on by some drugs and toxins like botulinum toxin (Botox).
The situations that lead to the weakening of the leg muscles. Also, it will go through various forms of treatment, and when limb weakness requires medical attention.
HOW SIGNIFICANT IS MY LEG WEAKNESS?
If a stroke caused your leg weakness, it is serious, you should get medical help right away if your leg weakness develops suddenly and is accompanied by numbness, arm weakness or numbness, vision issues, balance issues, or trouble speaking. These symptoms could be signs of a stroke.
If your leg weakness is caused by spinal nerve compression, it is serious. Suppose your leg weakness is also accompanied by sudden, severe back pain, difficulty balancing, a sudden change in bladder or bowel control, including incontinence, and numbness or weakness in your buttocks, inner thighs, or back of your legs.
You should still discuss your symptoms with a medical professional to determine the cause and best course of action if your leg weakness is not severe.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF WEAK LEGS?
Leg weakness could have a curable underlying cause. But, you should see a doctor because leg weakness occasionally signals a major problem. Here are the common symptoms caused due to weak legs :
- Leg muscles are in discomfort
- Decreased leg muscle strength
- Muscle stiffness in the legs
- Spasms of muscles
- Leg twitches
- A lower back ache
- Legs are “heavy”
- Leg tingling
- The ache that is neurotic
- Knees tremble
- Walking is unstable due to balance issues
- Trembling in the legs
- The sensation of tingling in the legs
- Raising the foot or leg is difficult
- Paralysis
- Having trouble standing
WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF LEG WEAKNESS?
Sciatica
The sciatic nerve gets compressed at some point when you develop sciatica. From the lower spine, the sciatic nerve extends and divides, continuing down each leg. Leg pain and weakness may result from the compression of the nerves.
Medications
Certain drugs can cause muscle weakness, resulting in a loss of leg strength. The adverse effects of statins and corticosteroids are well-known.
Drinking disorder
Myopathy, which is skeletal muscular dysfunction, can result from excessive alcohol use, especially binge drinking. Alcohol-related muscle illness is five times more prevalent than liver cirrhosis.
Spinal disorders
Many medical conditions can affect the spine and cause the legs to lose strength. Herniated discs, spinal stenosis, arthritis, and degenerative disc disease are among them. Loss of leg strength can result from these illnesses, although typically there are other symptoms as well.
Radicular neuropathy
When the peripheral nervous system suffers from nerve injury, peripheral neuropathy results. It may develop as a result of an injury, an illness like diabetes, or an infection. Diabetes may or may not cause neuropathy symptoms. The muscles of the lower leg are weak if it is symptomatic.
Thyroid Disorders
Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can result in joint and muscle discomfort, as well as muscle weakening.
Infections
If bacteria or viruses are not treated, significant damage may result. Leg weakness may result from injury to the spinal cord, brain, or nerves.
Injuries
Leg strength loss might result from a fall or motor accident injuries. Knee injuries can result in torn ligaments, shattered knee bones, or trapped cartilage, which can make your legs give up.
Arthritis
The disintegration of the knee joint can result from arthritis. It frequently results in the legs losing strength when the knee joint is unstable. Even though the knee joint may hurt, losing a stable knee structure can cause shooting pain to travel down the legs and into the feet.
LEG WEAKNESS TREATMENTS
Naturally, a doctor’s diagnosis determines the best course of action. Many therapy methods are available.
- Guided steroid injections to treat inflammation in the knee or spine joints
- Physical exercise
- Prescription drugs for diseases or other underlying causes, as well as over-the-counter pharmaceuticals like acetaminophen or ibuprofen for minor discomfort
- Assistance with a back brace while your injury heals
- Leg and lower back strengthening exercises
- Diet modifications
- When non-operative therapies are ineffective, surgery
A doctor will do a number of diagnostic procedures to determine what is causing the symptoms of weak legs. Visit Specialty Care Clinics to consult our experts. Contact us at (469) 545-9983.